Inevitable disclaimer: This is a long one with a ridiculous amount of pictures.
It all started with an obsession- the family's obsession with Colorado and specifically Ryan's obsession with Breckenridge.
I love that both sides of our family have special memories of Colorado. Becky talks about how when she was little, Geneva and Walter would take them to Estes Park every summer and they would stay in Big Thompson Canyon (Estes Park was a little pricey- still is). Then, as often as Becky could convince Dolph to go, they would take their kids. Frequently as adults, Becky and her sisters Marcia and Nancy would visit Colorado with Geneva and Walter.
My family's history is similar. Weezie and Buddy would take my mom and her brothers and sister to Colorado almost every summer. And as a child, I remember doing the same. One year we even rented a Winnebago and it broke down on the highway. But that's a story for another time. My Daddy John grew up in Denver and that's where he and my mom met, so that connection is a strong and obvious one.
But my memories of Breckenridge specifically begin with Ryan. We took several trips out there when we were dating, and I was able to see a side of Ryan that I didn't see in Kansas City- "Snowboard Ryan". I LOVE this side of him and it was during one of these trips that we talked about bringing the family out sometime for a Christmas trip. An idea was born.
So this year we decided it was time for a Pre-Christmas Flurry trip to Breckenridge. Grandma Becky was generous enough to gift the condo stay for us and it was decided we would leave the evening of the 20th for four nights. The only thing missing was the Bloemker family- Jeff, Jodi and Jeremiah were not able to make it and we missed them so much. Still, there was plenty of craziness with the Margherio boys, Shannon and Michael, Grandma, and us.
KCI airport was uneventful except for our almost two hour delay. iPads are really amazing things. The Denver airport, with its trains and shuttles, was far more exciting.
The condo was PERFECT with beautiful vaulted ceilings, three bedrooms and baths, and a hide-a-bed for Grandma that was wonderfully absent of lumps. After a rough night of sleeping for some of the wee ones (and the big ones as a result), we began a lazy Wednesday morning with yummy pancakes. This was Liam's first pancake and is now on the very long list of "foods that Liam loves." Actually, there is nothing on the list of "foods that Liam doesn't love."
Babysitter Michael and a sleeping Liam hung out at the condo later that morning while the rest of us took off on a walk to the base of Peak 9 where Shannon, Benjamin (gulp) and I rented skis. I could not wait to see my favorite 4 1/2 year old up on his first pair of skis and neither could Grandma and Dominic so they went with us to watch. We were excited to see the snow falling as we walked outside. I soon came to find that a "short" walk with Benjamin and Dominic is never short when there is snow falling :)
For those of you who don't know, Ryan is a snowboarder and I am a skier. This paradox makes for interesting and (usually) lighthearted banter in our household. Having said that, there is only one reason that I would want to snowboard rather than ski and that is the ridiculous amount of equipment/time it takes to rent and prepare to ski. This process was so much better watching Benjamin go through it alongside of Shannon and me.
Dominic even wanted to take part.
Once the skis were rented, the boots were on and the poles were grabbed, we were off.
Shannon and Michael had decided earlier that Benjamin might be a little too young for lessons, so Shannon and I were his first ski instructors and I must say, we kind of rocked it. Shannon began by running alongside him, and while it took him a little bit to realize you have to lean back instead of forward (a ski concept that I am still trying to grasp), he did really well. Eventually, I put my skis on and he held onto my pole. That worked really well and Benjamin was a trooper. I couldn't have been more proud of our little "B".
This one's a video- I have no idea why I decided to shoot it sideways. Maybe I was trying to be artsy.
Eventually, he did get tired. We all did. This picture reminds me of Ryan who as long as I've skied with him, he stops on the mountain, lies flat and rests. It's kind of adorable, whether they're 4 1/2 or 36 years old.
After a quick lunch back at the condo, Shannon, Michael and I headed out for a private ski lesson. It was Ryan's Christmas gift to me. Turns out that Michael had never skied before, Shannon had only skied once before about six years ago, and while I ski a lot, I never seem to improve. We were a perfect group. And we had a great instructor named Randy. I must admit that until this lesson, I had stereotyped men named "Randy" as 70's disco dudes with gold chains nestled in curly chest hair. But our Randy was a cool guy who lived in South Park, about 20 minutes away (and yes, is the actual South Park that the TV show is based on).
The lesson turned out to be really beneficial for all of us. Shannon and Michael took to it all very easily, natural athletes both of them. I did very well when it was time to actually ski, but prior to that part when Randy was going over the fundamentals, I fell. Yes, I fell. Hard. While standing.
It was embarrassing and it even hurt. Hurt my pride as well as my ass. And while I told everyone I was fine, it turns out that I probably cracked my tailbone. Even as I sit here writing this 11 days later, I am sitting on a pillow because the sofa cushion is too hard. Really. I can't make this stuff up.
Oh, and I fell a second time. On the kiddy conveyor belt that two year olds can master.
Injury aside, it was a really fun afternoon with Shannon and Michael and South Park's Randy.
This picture below was actually taken at the tree where Ryan and I were married two years ago. Michael had been babysitting and missed the ceremony, so it was fun to be able to show it to him. About 20 minutes after this picture was taken, we were enjoying a lovely post ski cocktail, proud of a successful skiing adventure (you know, except for my butt).
That evening, after a yummy pasta dinner and a big glass of vino, I kind of passed out on the sofa in the loft before 8 p.m., with visions of fully padded ski pants dancing in my head.
The next morning was a cold but beautiful one. We spent the first part of the morning playing. Playing with the iPad, playing with trains, and with each other.
Do these pajamas make my feet look big?
Ryan was the chef of the trip, making his specialty here... breakfast.
More playing after breakfast. This was Benjamin's cardio.
Late morning was the perfect time for a little ice skating and train watching. While Shannon caught some much-needed shut-eye (another restless night for Dominic), the rest of us headed to the indoor rink which was magically built next to some old train tracks. This was the location of our July photo shoot with Robin when Liam was only four months old. It's even prettier in the snow, and the boys loved it enough to put up with an annoying large amount of photos from yours truly.
But first, we had to put Liam in his snow pants and vest, with approximately 15 layers of clothing on underneath. He looked like Ralphie's brother from "A Christmas Story" ("but Mom, I can't put my arms down!") He may not be able to put his arms down, but he can manage to eat a cracker. Of course.
Okay, now for the trains.
I love this one of Dominic. He isn't all too thrilled to get his picture taken, but when he does decide to stand still for a photo it is usually with stiff arms and legs in almost a mugshot sort of style. It makes for a pretty adorable picture.
I love the next set of photos of Benjamin. The kid looks like a model for toddler's outerwear. Very GQ.
The trees looked like something off of a postcard. Just perfect.
So perfect that we plopped little Liam down in front of one of them to see what he would do. (*Point of explanation... the little brown puppy "mittens" are not actually mittens at all. They are slippers. But who the hell sells slippers attached to a little matching puppy hat? Who? It seems like the perfect thing to attach would be adorable matching puppy mittens, but no. So we improvised. He hated them and they kept coming off. Later this day we went to Main Street and bought him REAL snow mittens for the oh-so-low price of only $29.99. Ridiculous.) Anyway, mittens or no mittens, it turns out Liam loves the snow as much as his Mommy and Daddy do. Notice his quick recovery after tumbling over into the snow. What a trooper.
The inevitable family photo.
Just when all the boys were sick and tired of taking pictures, even if they were right next to real trains, we headed inside to the ice skating rink. Ryan decided time was best spent rocking Liam to sleep and then both napping on a bench in the lobby. Lucky for Michael, renting skates and a helmet takes far less time and energy than renting skis.
How cute is this one...
None of us had seen these before, but how cool are these little red "ice walkers" to help the little guys who are just starting out?
South Park Randy told us that there are two kinds of skiers: those that have fallen, and those that will fall. Same goes for skaters, I guess.
Two hot chocolates later, Dominic came out to watch...
And still, they slept...
Shannon had told me the story of when Michael took her on one of their first dates (it might have actually been the very first date) to go ice skating in Chicago, she had no idea how good he was until he took off on the ice. Having heard that, I had very high expectations. And he met them. The guy can skate. Becky and I talked about how we could have just stayed and watched him for hours.
This is an awesome picture of Benjamin, skater extraordinaire, proud of how well he's done!
Okay, here's a riddle for you: How do you follow a morning of trains and ice skating? There is only one answer... A GONDOLA RIDE! There is a free gondola that takes you all the way up to the base of Peak 8 (with 3 other stops along the way). It's not too cold, it's not too scary, it has great views. But I think it was the highlight for the adults particularly because of one thing... containment. So yeah, we rode it twice.
Okay, doesn't he look like a little cherub here? A little cherub, mixed with a comedian, with a little devil as well :)
This is where we had a cold, but fun lunch outside. We had a great view of the half pipe as well, so we could watch all of the snowboard stunts.
On the way back down, Dominic was hysterical as our conductor announcing our next stop, "Gondola station." He sounded just like the character on his favorite show "Dinosaur Train." Listen to this video closely so you can hear him. (if the video works)
Hey Grandma, wanna hold hands over the mountains?
The Three Amigos...
After the gondola ride, there was nap and quiet time, and then we went to Main Street for aforementioned mittens (notice the real thing on Liam below). The town was something out of a Dickens' story with its lights and festive atmosphere- except I don't think Charles Dickens wrote about LED illumination.
After a yummy dinner of chili and putting little ones to bed, Shannon curled up to watch her Mizzou Tigers and the rest of us played Dominoes. My first game of Dominoes ever. Becky and I crushed (well, okay, didn't crush but still beat) Ryan and Michael, and I would like to just thank them all officially right now for not making fun of my ignorance as to the game OR for my occasional use of my fingers to count.
The next morning, Ryan and I were a little tired because Liam was restless in the pack n' play in our room. Late night painful poops kept him awake, and therefore us as well (sorry for the detail, but this blog has to be authentic, poop and all). But it was hard to feel tired on a day like this beautiful. It was a nice lazing morning.
Morning fun for the boys with their dad.
Later that morning, Becky and I watched Liam and Dominic so the rest could go skiing/ boarding. Liam helped Daddy with his gear.
It was a nice morning for naps and books.
When they all came back, we had a little lunch and Benjamin told me all about his morning skiing with Mommy and Daddy. Apparently he had no problem on the kiddy conveyor belt.
Our last afternoon on the mountain... time to go sledding! Ryan had a place in mind to sled called Carter Park. Of course, we had to bundle up first.
And away we went! Liam only sledded on flat areas and so he and Dominic led the way to the hill.
While the bigger boys headed up the long hill with Shannon and Michael, Grandma and Liam stayed down at the bottom to watch. By the way, Wardrobe Malfunction #2: This hat, while adorable and very warm, made Liam break out with a rash on the right side of his face! We threw it away about an hour after this was taken. At least it was well photographed.
While we had fun with Liam at the bottom, the Margherios seemed to have a BLAST sledding down the hill. First, Shannon with Benjamin and Michael with Dominic.
Fun sledding family photo
Meanwhile, back at the bottom, Ryan and Liam don't need no stinkin' hill to have fun...
This one might be my favorite photo of the trip... a special moment between my two guys.
Soon the smiles had faded, the rash had (unknowingly) appeared, and Mr. Cranky Pants showed up. It was time to say goodbye to Carter Park and hello to a little face lotion and naptime.
Friday night was our last evening in Breckenridge so we decided to go out to Fatty's Pizzeria and carb load for our trip back to Kansas City.
The trip back was wonderfully uneventful and easy. Liam was a charmer going through security.
Keeping an eye out for our airplane home.
And so our Pre-Christmas Breckenridge trip had come to an end. It was absolutely everything I could have wanted it to be and more. I will always remember how fun it was to watch our boys all together, trying new, snowy adventures. And I hope that Liam will look back on his trips to Breckenridge around the holidays as a family tradition that he will always treasure. This should definitely become a new tradition. Lesson well learned.
1 comment:
Great post - Such wonderful times and great memories. It was so much fun to watch the boys together. Thanks to you and Ryan for getting it all started.
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